Construction delayed for freshman center

But the building is still expected to open according to schedule.

Published: Monday, February 18, 2013 at 9:20 p.m.

Last Modified: Monday, February 18, 2013 at 9:20 p.m.

Bad weather has pushed back work on the new freshmen center at H.L. Bourgeois High School, but school officials said that won’t prevent freshmen from joining the school next year.

The $9.5 million, 47,000-square-foot building was scheduled to be completed at the end of January. Repeated rain delays have pushed completion to March 2.

School officials said the delay is simply a precaution.

“As far as I’m concerned, everything is on schedule,” Martin said. “Barring some unforeseen catastrophe, that building will be open in the fall.”

As part of the construction, the school also is getting a small outside upgrade. The School Board approved spending $59,890 to install a concrete storm drain in front of the school. The drain will help dry out the area students must cross to reach the sidewalk.

“Right now that area can get very muddy,” Martin said. “We want students to be able to get back and forth without getting into a mess.”

The new building is going up on the right side of the building when facing the front. It will include 18 classrooms, two science labs, two computer labs and several faculty workrooms.

The new building will finally give H.L. Bourgeois space to hold four grades.

The school only has students in grades 10-12. Freshman in that school district attend Evergreen Junior High School.

Despite the delays, this year’s eighth- and ninth-graders at Evergreen will attend H.L. Bourgeois next year.

H.L. Bourgeois Principal Matthew Hodson said plans to make that transition are moving forward.

“We’re glad that we’re going to have that full high school experience,” he said. “We think that’s important for our students, so we’re trying to make it as easy as possible.”

Once H.L. adds freshmen, only Terrebonne High School will remain without ninth-graders. School officials said there are no plans to expand that school because no nearby land is available and ninth-graders at Houma Jr. High are only yards away.

Many school alumni say they’re jealous of the project.

“I really wish it would have been done in my years,” wrote Karen Batieste on Facebook. “Keep the blue and gray pride going!”

Some parents said their children are nervous about the changes.

“My daughter will be entering HLB as a freshman. She is not thrilled with the new system; she would like to stay at Evergreen another year,” wrote Mandy Sonnier. “We are as prepared as we can be for the change, and I have no doubt she will do fine.”

Staff Writer Matthew Albright can be reached at 448-7635 or at matthew.albright

<p>Bad weather has pushed back work on the new freshmen center at H.L. Bourgeois High School, but school officials said that won't prevent freshmen from joining the school next year.</p><p>The $9.5 million, 47,000-square-foot building was scheduled to be completed at the end of January. Repeated rain delays have pushed completion to March 2. </p><p>School officials said the delay is simply a precaution.</p><p>“As far as I'm concerned, everything is on schedule,” Martin said. “Barring some unforeseen catastrophe, that building will be open in the fall.” </p><p>As part of the construction, the school also is getting a small outside upgrade. The School Board approved spending $59,890 to install a concrete storm drain in front of the school. The drain will help dry out the area students must cross to reach the sidewalk.</p><p>“Right now that area can get very muddy,” Martin said. “We want students to be able to get back and forth without getting into a mess.”</p><p>The new building is going up on the right side of the building when facing the front. It will include 18 classrooms, two science labs, two computer labs and several faculty workrooms.</p><p>The new building will finally give H.L. Bourgeois space to hold four grades.</p><p>The school only has students in grades 10-12. Freshman in that school district attend Evergreen Junior High School. </p><p>Despite the delays, this year's eighth- and ninth-graders at Evergreen will attend H.L. Bourgeois next year. </p><p>H.L. Bourgeois Principal Matthew Hodson said plans to make that transition are moving forward.</p><p>“We're ordering furniture,” Hodson said. “On our end, everything's going nicely.”</p><p>Hodson said he's looking forward to adding a new grade to the school.</p><p>“We're glad that we're going to have that full high school experience,” he said. “We think that's important for our students, so we're trying to make it as easy as possible.”</p><p>Once H.L. adds freshmen, only Terrebonne High School will remain without ninth-graders. School officials said there are no plans to expand that school because no nearby land is available and ninth-graders at Houma Jr. High are only yards away.</p><p>Many school alumni say they're jealous of the project. </p><p>“I really wish it would have been done in my years,” wrote Karen Batieste on Facebook. “Keep the blue and gray pride going!”</p><p>Some parents said their children are nervous about the changes. </p><p>“My daughter will be entering HLB as a freshman. She is not thrilled with the new system; she would like to stay at Evergreen another year,” wrote Mandy Sonnier. “We are as prepared as we can be for the change, and I have no doubt she will do fine.”</p><p>Staff Writer Matthew Albright can be reached at 448-7635 or at matthew.albright</p><p>@dailycomet.com.</p>